Kangana Ranaut Takes Fresh Dig at Hrithik Roshan Over Saba Azad Remark

By SK | TheGlobalNews

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has publicly responded to actor Hrithik Roshan following his recent comment on a viral social media trend linked to their long-standing public history. Addressing him directly on social media, Ranaut referenced his current relationship with actor-musician Saba Azad while asking him to refrain from making public comments related to her.

The exchange marks the latest flare-up between the two actors, whose past legal and personal dispute in 2016 remains one of Bollywood’s most widely reported public controversies.

1. What Happened?

The latest exchange began when Kangana Ranaut posted a message on her Instagram Stories addressed directly to Hrithik Roshan. In her post, Ranaut shared a screenshot of a news report covering a comment Roshan had made on a viral Instagram post.

Ranaut wrote that she was happy Roshan had found a “perfect match” in Saba Azad, noting that the couple looked great together. However, she criticized his participation in online discussions surrounding her, stating that someone in a committed relationship should not “tease a woman like this” or add fuel to social media criticism. She urged Roshan to instead condemn those using his name to target her online.

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  |                      THE LATEST SOCIAL MEDIA EXCHANGE                   |
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  | • Trigger : Viral "We owe Hrithik Roshan an apology" social media trend |
  | • Action  : Hrithik comments on systemic biases & waiting for facts     |
  | • Reaction: Kangana addresses Hrithik on Instagram, mentioning Saba Azad|
  | • Message : Asks him to condemn online harassment and stop commenting  |
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2. Why Is This Trending?

The immediate trigger for the resurgence of the controversy stems from a broader public debate surrounding recent comments made by Ranaut regarding Gen Z and student protests. During an online exchange with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das, Das remarked in an interview that friends had jokingly compared his appearance to a younger Hrithik Roshan, which led to online users reviving discussions about the actors’ past.

Shortly after, social media influencer Freddy Birdy posted a note stating, “The world owes an apology to Hrithik Roshan”. Roshan responded to the post, commenting:

“My friend, siding with ‘A’ just cause you don’t like ‘B’ anymore is a small part of the larger systemic issue plaguing our society. I’ll wait, for when the context to it is the right one, and motivated by facts.”

Though Roshan did not explicitly name Ranaut in his comment, the statement was widely interpreted by social media users and entertainment media as a reference to their past dispute, prompting Ranaut’s direct reply.

3. Timeline of the Latest Developments

Late July 2026: Public discourse intensifies online following Ranaut’s remarks regarding student protests. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das references looking like a young Hrithik Roshan in a interview segment.
August 1, 2026: Social media trend “We need to apologise to Hrithik Roshan” gains traction on Instagram.
August 1, 2026 (Evening): Hrithik Roshan comments on influencer Freddy Birdy’s post, urging people not to pick sides without factual context.
August 1–2, 2026: Kangana Ranaut posts an Instagram Story addressing Roshan, mentioning his partner Saba Azad, and asking him to stop making “unreasonable comments”.

4. Background: The 2016 Public Dispute

To understand the context of the current exchange, new readers must look back to 2016, when the two actors were involved in a high-profile legal dispute.

Co-Stars: Ranaut and Roshan previously worked together in the Hindi feature films Kites (2010) and Krrish 3 (2013).
The “Silly Ex” Remark: The dispute erupted publicly in early 2016 after Ranaut referred to a “silly ex” in a media interview.
Legal Notices: Roshan issued a legal notice seeking an apology and denying any romantic relationship. Ranaut maintained her stance, leading to counter-legal notices.
Email Allegations: Roshan filed a cyber-crime complaint alleging an imposter was emailing Ranaut in his name. Ranaut claimed the email address had been provided by Roshan himself. Both parties exchanged formal legal responses, and the dispute eventually quieted down without a public settlement.

Since then, both actors have moved forward in their respective careers and personal lives. Roshan has been in a relationship with actor-singer Saba Azad since 2022, while Ranaut was elected as a Member of Parliament from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, in 2024.

5. Summary of Key Statements

Person	Key Excerpt / Summary	Platform
Hrithik Roshan	“Siding with ‘A’ just cause you don’t like ‘B’ anymore is a small part of the larger systemic issue… I’ll wait, for when the context to it is the right one, and motivated by facts.”	Instagram Comments
Kangana Ranaut	“Dear Hrithik, I am happy that you have found your perfect match, Saba Azad… You are in a committed relationship and it doesn’t suit you to tease a woman like this. Instead you should condemn all those who are harassing and bullying me using your name.”	Instagram Stories

6. Public Reaction and Media Discourse

The brief online interaction quickly dominated entertainment news and social media trends:

Social Media Division: Online commentary remained split, with some users supporting Ranaut’s call against online trolling and others arguing that Roshan’s original comment was a generalized reflection on online behavior rather than a direct personal attack.
Media Coverage: Major news portals reported on the exchange, framing it as an unexpected resurgence of an old controversy brought back into focus by unrelated political commentary.

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7. What’s Next?

As of August 2, 2026, neither Hrithik Roshan nor Saba Azad has issued any further statement or response to Ranaut’s Instagram post.

Given the history between both actors, industry observers note that while social media trends periodically revive discussions about their 2016 feud, official engagement from either party remains rare. Whether this exchange leads to any further comments or remains an isolated incident will depend on whether either side chooses to address the matter again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did Kangana Ranaut respond to Hrithik Roshan?

Kangana Ranaut responded after Hrithik Roshan commented on a viral Instagram post advocating that the public owed him an apology regarding their past feud. Ranaut stated that his comment contributed to online trolling directed at her.

What did Kangana say about Saba Azad?

Ranaut mentioned actor-musician Saba Azad in her Instagram Story, stating she was happy Roshan had found a “perfect match” in Azad. She added that being in a committed relationship, Roshan should avoid engaging in social media trends that tease another woman or embarrass his partner.

What is the history of the Kangana-Hrithik controversy?

The dispute originated in 2016 after Ranaut referred to a “silly ex” in an interview. Roshan denied ever having a relationship with her, leading to a legal notice exchange, allegations regarding impersonated emails, and a lengthy public feud.

Did Hrithik Roshan respond to Kangana’s latest post?

No. As of August 2, 2026, Hrithik Roshan has not issued any public statement or reply following Ranaut’s Instagram Story.

Why is the issue trending again now?

The issue trended after a political spokesperson made a lighthearted comment comparing himself to a young Hrithik Roshan during an ongoing online debate involving Ranaut. This led users to spark the “We need to apologise to Hrithik Roshan” trend, which Roshan subsequently commented on.

Conclusion

The latest exchange between Kangana Ranaut and Hrithik Roshan demonstrates how past celebrity controversies can quickly resurface when amplified by viral social media trends. While Ranaut has firmly asked Roshan to refrain from commenting on social media discussions involving her, both figures continue to focus primarily on their respective professional commitments and public roles.